Safety window fixture

ABSTRACT

1,224,328. Window holders. SAMSON WINDOW CORP. 19 Dec., 1968 [9 Jan., 1968], No. 60398/68. Heading E2A. A pivot connection for pivotably mounting a window sash in a frame comprises a track portion 42, 43 for attachment to the frame, a plunger 27 for mounting on the sash 11 and arranged to be urged yieldably into contact with the track portion 42, 43, a lateral cam  portion 33. on the plunger 27, a seat on the track portion to receive the plunger when  the sash is pivoted from a closed position, to a partially open position, a cam follower on  the track portion positioned to engage the cam portion 33 to deflect the plunger from the seat when the sash is pivoted from the partially open position to the closed position, a plunger release 50 for movable mounting on the frame and operating means for tilting the plunger release member to engage the plunger and move the plunger from its seat to enable further opening movement of the sash. As shown, the plunger 27 engages an opening defined by walls 48, 49 of a slot in the track 42, 43 as the sash is moved to a partially opened position. The plunger is retracted from the slot by movement of the sash to the closed position or by operation of the plunger release 50 by an outer handle 58 or an inner key-operated member 63 which tilts the release 50 to permit further opening of the sash to a position in which the plunger 27 engages another slot defined by walls 46, 47.

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SAFETY WINDOW FIXTURE Filed Jan. 9. 1 968 43 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. WILHELM F. ROTHEMUND ATTORNEY W. F. ROTHEMUND 3,474,572 SAFETY WINDOW FIXTURE Filed Jan. 9, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1/ I In 58 l 5/ I 23 3 60 21 FIG. 7

INVENTOR. WILHELM F. ROTHEMUND.

BY fimt mdw ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,474,572 SAFETY WINDOW FIXTURE Wilhelm F. Rothemund, Flushing, N.Y., assignor to Samson Window Corporation, Woodside, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 9, 1968, Ser. No. 696,643 Int. Cl. Ed 7/08; E05c 19/06 US. Cl. 49-390 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A safety window fixture, particularly for window sashes pivoted about a centrally disposed vertical pivot axis, comprising a fixed track member on the window frame having spaced detent portions, a detent or plunger member yieldably extending from the sash against said track and shifted, upon pivotal movement of said sash, into one of said detent portions to permit limited angular pivotal movement of the sash about said vertical pivot axis, the combination including plunger release means pivotally mounted on the frame for depressing the plunger, to permit the same to ride on the track portion and thus permit greater angular movement of the sash, the plunger release means being characterized by inner and outer release portions located, respectively, inside and outside the frame, the outer portion including a leverage member, such as a knob, and the inner portion having means for receiving a leverage member but being resistant to movement to the plunger release position without the use of such leverage means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention is in the field of windows, and more particularly in the field of those windows centrally pivoted about a vertically disposed axis.

In many instances it is desired to permit such windows to be partially opened from the interior for ventilation purposes, but to control the extent of the angular deflection so that, should a person inadvertently bump against the partly opened window, the window should not pivot further.

In windows of this sort, it is a desideratum that intentional opening of the window to a fuller extent than required for ventilation be permitted, but that such intentional opening be elfected only by a series of deliberate movements.

Further, it is desirable, in the event of an emergency, such as fire, that the window may be shifted to the open position from the outside.

Still further, it is desirable, particularly where such windows are employed in institutions or the like, that a person on the interior be permitted partially to open the Window but be prevented from opening the window beyond a predetermined extent, i.e. to a degree which would permit the occupant to exit through the window.

The prior art Vertically pivoted windows have heretofore been provided with safety devices, particularly in the form of release handles, which, when they are moved to window releasing position, extend in the path of the window to prevent pivotal movement of more than a predetermined amount. Such devices are cumbersome, unsightly in view of the size required, and may be operated by the occupant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A safety control mounting for mounting a window sash to a window frame for pivotal movement about a 3,474,572 Patented Oct. 28, 1969 vertical axis, including a fixed track on the frame, an extensible plunger on the sash, detent portions for locking the plunger to the track at predetermined position, the control including means operable from inside or outside the frame for releasing the plunger, the last named means having a readily operable leverage member, such as a knob, fixed thereto, the inside means being of reduced size and requiring a key connection for its operation so as to prevent manual rotation of the inside means without a proper tool or key, the last named means including connector portions adapted to receive leverage means, such as a wrench, to permit operation of said plunger release.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved safety mounting structure for a vertically pivoted window sash incorporating the above noted features.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a sash and frame structure in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the pivot assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a magnified section taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURES 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views of variations of the invention, showing other arrangements for limiting the pivotal movement of the sash.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, 10 is a window frame which has been set into the outer wall or facing of a building. 11 is a window sash carrying a window structure 12, the sash being pivotally mounted about a central vertical pivot axis defined between upper bearing structure 13 extending from the frame into the sash, and axially aligned safety pivot structure 14 which is the subject of the present invention.

In known manner, the frame preferably includes a releasible side latch or latches 15, 15 which must be operated to permit any pivotal movement of the sash. Many forms of suitable latches 15, 15 are in use and, hence, their structure need not be discussed. Said latches simply lock the sash against pivotal movement until they are released, and normally include exterior handle portions, permitting their operation from outside the building.

The safety pivot structure 14 of the present invention is essentially a two-part component, incorporating a male pivot fixture 20 mounted on the lower edge of the sash, and a female pivot section 21 affixed to the frame.

The male pivot section includes a mounting bracket 22 which fits within an outwardly open channel 23FIG- URE 7-formed on the under surface of the sash. The bracket 22 is fixed within the channel 23 by machine or self-tapping screws 24, 24 extending from suitably defined apertures 25, 25 formed in the bracket, the apertures 25 being preferably elongated in the direction of the length of the track to permit a degree of longitudinal adjustment between the bracket and the sash.

The male member 20 includes a plunger structure, best illustrated in FIGURE 4. The plunger structure includes a plunger housing 26 which projects upwardly from the bracket. A latch or plunger 27 is vertically movably mounted within the housing 26, a spring 28 interposed between the upper end 29 of the plunger and the upper wall portion 30 of the housing biasing the plunger to the normally downward, solid line position shown in FIGURE 4.

A vertical slot 31 is formed in the side of the housing. A press fit pin 32 extends outwardly from the plunger into the slot, to prevent relative rotation between the generally cylindrical bodied plunger 27 and the cylindrical housing. The plunger 27 includes a downwardly and inwardly inclined cam face 33.

In the mounting of the male element 20, an aperture 34-see FIGURE 7-is formed in the under edge 23 of the sash, to accommodate the upwardly directed plunger housing.

The male component 20 includes a downwardly directed pivot member or trunnion 35. The trunnion member 35 is journalled within the bore 36 of an upwardly projecting cylindrical bearing seat member 37, forming a part of the female connector 21. The female connector includes a backing or bracket position 38, mounted to a horizontal web portion 39 of the window frame.

The fixed pivot portion of the embodiment of FIGURE 3 includes outer and inner spaced abutment portions 40, 41, the upper surfaces 42, 43 of said abutment portions being substantially flat and defining outer and inner track portions. The vertically disposed, inwardly directed surfaces 44, 45 of the abutments 40, 41 are arcuate and spaced from the outer periphery of the bearing seat member 37 so as to define, with said bearing seat member, a generally annular clearance space.

It will be understood that the vertically directed spaced walls 46, 47 on one side of the abutments define a limit or detent seat for the plunger located slightly to one side of the center line of the frame, and the walls 48, 49 similarly define a diametrically opposed detent seat disposed slightly to the opposite side of the center line.

A plunger release member 50 is movably mounted within the space defined between the opposed abutment portions 40, 41. The release member 50 includes a generally doughnut shaped body portion 51, having radially projecting fingers 52, 53, the fingers being slightly offset to opposite sides of the center line of the body portionsee FIGURE 6. Additionally, a horizontally directed, squared keying aperture 54 extends through the body portion at one side, a coaxial, cylindrical aperture 55 extending through the opposite side of the body portion.

The abutment portions 40, 41 are provided with horizontally directed bearing apertures 56, 57 positioned to align with the apertures 55. 54, respectively, when the plunger release assembly 50 is mounted in the annular space supporting the bearing 37.

It will be understood that when the release portion is thus disposed in said annular space, the fingers 52, 53 ride in the upwardly directed slots defined between the walls 48, 49 and 46, 47, respectively. An outer operating knob or lever member 58, having a squared keying shaft 59 and a bearing portion 60, is fixed to the release member 50 by any means, such as an Allen screw 61, which is threaded into a tapped aperture 62 formed in the body portion. It will be understood that the bearing portion lies within the bearing aperture 57 in the outer abutment and that the squared shaft 59 extends into the keying aperture 54 and is maintained therein by said Allen screw 61.

In a similar manner, a generally cylindrical inner release operator member 63 is rotatably mounted within the aperture 57 of the inner abutment 41, the release operator member 63 being keyed to the release member 50 by a pin 64 extending through spaced apertures 65 formed in the release member and through radially directed apertures 66 of the inner release operator 63. The release operator 63 terminates approximately fiush with the innermost side of the abutment portion 41 and includes an internal socket portion 67 to receive, for instance, an Allen wrench or like tool or key.

When the window is assembled to the frame, the trunnion 35 of the movable component 20 will be rotated within the cylindrical bore 36 defined by the bearing member 37. An antifriction washer 68 is interposed between the upper surface of the bearing member 37 and a downwardly directed annular shoulder 69 surrounding the boss or trunnion 35see FIGURE 7.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description.

The sash 11 is mounted so that it is free to rotate in one direction (clockwise) only from the closed position, anti-clockwise movement from said position being prevented by overlapping components of the sash and frame, not shown.

In the closed position-see dotted lines, FIGURE 6- the plunger is maintained in compressed condition on top of the track portion 43 of the abutment 41. When the window release 15 has been actuated, it will be possible to rotate the window clockwisely to the position shown in dot and dash lines, FIGURES 2 and 7, whereat the plunger member will have been projected downwardly into the space defined between the opposed walls 48 and 49 of the abutments 41, 40, respectively. In this position, further opening of the window will be prevented by the engagement of the vertically directed, non-cammed face of the plunger 27 against the wall 49. In this venting position, rattling or undesired closing of the windows under the effect of drafts is revented by the spring action of the plunger within the restricted space defined between walls 48, 49.

It will be observed that anti-clockwise movement of the sash from the partly open to the closed position will be permitted but that the exertion of a considerable force on the sash will be required to effect such movement, the force being required to cam the plunger upwardly against the compressive force of the spring 28.

In order to achieve further opening movement of the sash than that which is provided by the interaction of plunger 27 and wall 49, it will be necessary to lift the plunger clear of the detent or slot between walls 48, 49 and onto the track portion 42 of the outer abutment 40. This lifting of the plunger may be effected from the outside by rotating knob 58 keyed to the plunger release member 50 in an anti-clockwise direction, whereupon the finger 52 will engage against the under surface of the plunger and lift it to the level of the track 42. With the plunger riding over the track 42, the sash may be rotated through approximately whereupon the plunger will fall in the slot defined between walls 46, 47.

It will be observed that while the thumb knob 58 at the outside of the window structure provides a readily available means for tilting the plunger release member 50, the sole connection between the plunger release available from the inside is the inner release member 63. This member, while accessible from the inside, may be rotated only through the use of a special tool, i.e. an Allen wrench of the proper size, or a key conforming in cross section to the cross section of the socket 67. Thus, it will be seen that a person inside the structure not having access to such a tool will be able to open the window only to the venting position previously described. If, however, a caretaker, for purposes of cleaning the window or the like, desires to open the window further, it will be possible to do so from the inside through the use of an Allen wrench, key or similar specialized leverage applying tool.

While it is possible to employ a screw driver for this function, it is preferred that the unit be operable only by a tool having a more limited availability.

It will be further appreciated that the driving connection at the inside may be provided by a specialized key of a cross sectional configuration mating a complemental slot or socket 67 formed in the inner release portion. Accordingly, in the claims, the term key and/or key receiver means used in connection with the description of the plunger release is to be broadly construed to encompass any such means providing a temporary and removable leverage applying connection.

It will be readily recognized from the foregoing description that a variety of different sizes of plungers and spacings between wall sections may be employed, depending on the intended function of the windows. Thus, in the plunger and spacing configuration illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURE 8, the plunger is not provided with a cam portion, and once the window is opened to the venting position, it cannot be closed without the use of a plunger lifting mechanism.

In FIGURE 9, the sizing of the plunger with respect to the spacing of the slot defining walls is such as to permit limited pivotal movement of the sash, without any lifting of the plunger, in either direction.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there is provided a safety pivot mechanism for a vertical pivot sash which may be operated from the interior, to permit venting, but which may not be opened from the interior beyond the venting position without the use of a special key.

The device of the invention may at all times be manually operated from the outside through the use of the exterior knob, in the event of an emergency.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring forces of the plunger stabilize and maintain the window in a partly open venting condition, and slamming of the window to the closed position is resisted. In such embodiment, the plunger member serves the double function of a lock against opening beyond a predetermined amount and as a yieldable hold open.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a Window device comprising a sash and a frame surrounding said sash, a pivot connection interposed between said sash and frame and centrally supporting said sash for pivotal movement about a vertical pivot axis, said connection including sash and frame elements adapted to be mounted to said sash and frame, respectively, spring plunger means carried by one said element and yieldably urged toward said other element, said plunger means including a lateral cam portions, a generally annular track portion on said other element in the path of said plunger means, said plunger being normally pressed against said track portion, a plunger seat formed in said track portion positioned to register with the receive said plunger when said sash is pivoted from said closed to a predetermined venting position with respect to said frame, a cam follower portion on said track positioned to engage said cam of said detent and upwardly deflect said detent responsive to movement of said sash from said venting to said closed position, blocking portions on said plunger and seat limiting opening movements of said sash from said venting position, a recess formed in said one element, control means movably mounted in said recess and including a release portion disposed in said seat, and control operator means operatively connected to said control means for shifting said control means to move said plunger release portion outwardly in said seat, thus to shift said plunger means out of said seat substantially to the level of said track portion and clear said blocking portions, thereby to release said sash for further opening movements.

2. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said operator means includes inner and outer operator portions accessible at the inside and outside of said frame, respectively, said outer operator portion including a knob, said inner operator portion being recessed to be inaccessible for manual rotation md including key socket means adapted to receive a torque transmitting key member.

3. In a window device comprising a sash and a frame surrounding said sash, a pivot connection interposed between said sash and frame, said connection comprising sash and frame elements for attachment to said sash and frame, respectively, complemental vertical pivot means on said elements for permitting relative pivotal movement of said parts about a vertical axis, spring plunger means on said sash element offset from said axis and yieldably biased toward said frame element, a horizontally disposed annular track portion on said frame in the path of said plunger means, a detent seat formed in said track and positioned to receive said plunger in a partial, pivoted, venting position of said sash element relative to said frame element, complemental cam and follower means on said plunger and seat, respectively, for retracting said plunger to the level of said track responsive to closing movements of said sash from said venting position, complemental blocking portions on said plunger and seat preventing further opening movements of said sash from said venting position, and retractor means operatively associated with said plunger for clearing said plunger from said detent, said retractor means including an exterior connection having an enlarged operator handle and an interior connection of reduced size to prevent manual rotation against the biasing influence of said plunger, said interior connection including means adapted to receive a torque transmitting key member, whereby said plunger may be manually released from said seat from the exterior of said sash but requires a key for release from the interior.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 756,006 3/1904 Essig 49390 XR 2,185,888 1/1940 Donahoe 49390 XR 2,231,647 2/1941 Warren et al 292-254 2,812,557 11/1957 Hauck 49390 3,357,135 12/1967 Kuss et al. a.. 49390 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,791 4/1900 Great Britain.

KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 49394; 292254 

